One morning, as my boss and I walked across campus after a 9/11 tribute during which she’d read a poem to hundreds gathered at the special ceremony, we came across two young male students sitting in lawn chairs. The sign next to them said “Free Hugs”. The second we stopped, they leapt to their feet and threw open their arms, huge smiles on their faces. My boss and I looked at each other, nodded, and stepped straight into the embraces of strangers. For me, it was one of the most comforting hugs I’ve ever experienced. It filled me with gratefulness. And hope.

This year, I am sharing Miss MOL’s post instead of contributing one of my own. Her account of visiting Ground Zero a few weeks after 9/11/2001 gives me goosebumps, especially the ending. I highly recommend the read. You’ll be glad you stopped by.